Category: First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen
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“The Treasure Within”
Theme: Through the presence of Christ, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed from within, and included at God’s Table, despite our fragile ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; Luke 14:16-24 (NRSV): For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in…
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“Clothe Yourselves in Kindness”
Theme: By imitating Christ’s compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and love, we can flourish as a community in the peace of Christ. Colossians 3:1-14 (NRSV): So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above,…
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“Believing Jesus”
Theme: Christ opens our eyes to his presence in our lives and invites to go out into the world as witnesses to his love, ministering in his name to spread the message of hope. Luke 24:36b-48 (NRSV): While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with…
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“He is Risen! You Will See Him!”
Theme: Christ lives on, resurrected, calling us to him for a life of hope and second chances, even for us – such a reconciling love is terrifying, and yet tremendous. Alleluia! Rejoice! Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV): When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they…
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“Salvation’s Subterfuge”
Theme: God’s restorative work in our lives is not always what we expect it to be, but is always worth hoping for. Mark 11:1-11 (NRSV): When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of…
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“Praying Forgiveness”
Theme: If we can trust in God’s forgiveness, and learn to forgive ourselves, then we can truly turn our lives around and begin again, a new creation in Christ. Psalm 51 (NRSV): To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy…
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“How Is This Possible?”
Theme: In choosing to believe in the love of God, through Jesus Christ, we receive the gift of eternal life, a transformed life that starts here and now – with Christ, the light by which we see. John 3:14-21 (NRSV): And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son…
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“The God We Need”
Theme: It takes clear vision to see that Jesus Christ may not be the God we want, but simply is, and always has been, the God we need. Mark 8:31-38 (NRSV): Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests,…
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“Surrendering All”
Theme: In Lent we surrender ourselves to God, because God surrendered so much for us. Genesis 9:8-17 (NRSV): Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds,…
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“Have You Not Heard?”
Theme: God’s all-powerfull Love will strengthen us and carry us through the most difficult challenges. Isaiah 40:21-31 (NRSV): Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,…
Ellen Clark Clemot 